| Cockroaches |
|---|
| |
Madagascan Hissing Cockroach
(Gromphadorhina portentosa).
This insect is 3 inches (8 cm) long.
See main text for more information.
|
|
|
| Families |
|
Blaberidae
Blattellidae
Blattidae
Cryptocercidae
Polyphagidae
Ref: ITIS 102427 (http://www.itis.usda.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=102427) 2002-12-11
|
A cockroach is an insect of the order Blattodea (or Blattaria). The American Cockroach (Periplaneta americana) is about 3 cm long. The German cockroach (Blattella germanica) is about 1.5 cm long. Tropical cockroaches are much bigger. When infesting buildings, cockroaches are considered pests.
Cockroaches are often found around garbage and in the kitchen. Female cockroaches, or henroaches, are sometimes seen carrying egg cases on the end of their abdomen; the egg case of the German Cockroach holds about 30-40 long, thin eggs, packed like frankfurters in the case called an ootheca.
The eggs hatch from the combined pressure of the hatchlings swallowing air and are initially bright white nymphs that continue inflating themselves with air and harden and darken within about 4 hours. Their transient white stage while hatching and later while molting has led to many individuals claiming to have seen albino cockroaches.
A female German cockroach carries an egg capsule containing around 40 eggs. She drops the capsule prior to hatching. Development from eggs to adults takes 3-4 months. Cockroaches live up to a year. The female may produce up to 8 egg cases in lifetime. In other words, in favorable condition it can produce 300-400 offspring.
The world's largest cockroach is the Australian giant burrowing cockroach, which can grow to 90 mm in length and weigh more than 30 grams. Comparable in size is the giant cockroach Blaberus giganteus, which grows to a similar length but is not as massive.
Notes on the picture:
The Madagascan Hissing Cockroach is a large flightless insect from the forests of Madagascar. It lives under the bark of trees or in leaf litter, feeding on plant matter including leaves and fallen fruit.
Any predator that catches one of these cockroaches is in for a double shock. The legs of this insect are covered in needle-sharp spines and the cockroach can make a loud hissing sound. It does this by forcing air out of the breathing holes that run along the side of its body.
This is one of the largest cockroaches in the world and can reach 8 cm (3 inches).
Although they live in the forest, they are attracted by house lights, and will sometimes creep through open windows. However, they are harmless and will soon leave when disturbed.
The Madagascan Hissing Cockroach is often used in television programmes and films where a large scary-looking insect is required, giving this harmless creature an undeserved reputation.
External link
- cockroach pictures (http://www.cockroach-pictures.com) shares pictures and facts on cockroaches and their behavior, feeding habits and life cycle.
| 
